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Investigating Toxic Chemicals

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Questions to ask about the chemical

  1. What is the exposure pathway?
  2. What are the effects of acute exposure?
  3. What are the effects of chronic exposure?
  4. Does the chemical have a smell/taste? And at what levels?
  5. What is considered an unacceptable level of this chemical in air, water and soil?
  6. How long does the chemical last in the environment?
  7. Does it breakdown or combine with other substances to form other contaminants?

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Questions to ask regulators

  1. Which local and/or federal agencies are responsible for regulating this chemical?
  2. Do regulatory standards line up with the best available science on the risks posed?
  3. In what ways are people being exposed?
  4. Who is responsible for carrying out the testing? A government agency, the polluter or a third party?
  5. Is the company required to report how much of the chemical is released into the environment? If so, where?
  6. Who is responsible for communicating the risk to residents?

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Communicating risk to communities who live near facilities

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Questions to ask people who live nearby

  1. What do you think of the company in question?
  2. What kind of role does the company play in the community?
    1. Is it a big employer?
    2. Is it a big donor? (funding back-to-school drives, etc)
  3. Have you ever heard of the chemicals being emitted?
  4. Are you aware of any increased health risks due to living near the facility? If so, how?
  5. Have you, or anyone you know, ever had any diseases or illnesses that are linked to the chemical? If so, please share.

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Questions to ask companies

  1. How did these contaminants first enter the environment?
  2. Are the same operations that produced these substances ongoing?
  3. Is the company committed to cleaning up the contamination? To what degree?
  4. When did the company first learn about the danger that this chemical posed to workers/communities?
  5. How is the company protecting workers and community members?
  6. These are the figures that the company reported to regulators. Is it still accurate?
  7. Are you providing relief to the community in some way? If so, are there strings attached?